New: Rep. Brandon Williams is alleging that a former top aide spearheaded a “vindictive” threat to expose his daughter’s OnlyFans account, in effort "to exert some leverage over me."

This aide who he names says his allegations are "categorically false.”
politico.com/news/2023/12/0… In other words, things are getting even messier.

Last week, Williams was caught on video by another fmr aide confronting his former chief Gordon at a holiday party, pointing his finger at him and vowing that if “you f–k with my family, I’ll end every relationship you have”

NEWS: Rep. Ann Wagner recalled another moment that lost Jordan her support.

She said Jordan told Scalise: “You get one ballot. And when you go down, you will nominate me.”

She said Scalise pushed back & Jordan replied: “America wants me.”
politico.com/live-updates/2… Jordan stormed out of the door, she said.

Jordan's spox Russell Dye said it was "an entirely cordial conversation. " He said "Mr. Jordan offered to nominate him on the floor, and requested that if we had to go to the floor and Mr. Scalise didn’t have the votes — he nominate ...

New: Some of McCarthy’s biggest critics in the spending fight have something in common: Building their political profiles for likely statewide bids. W/ @sarahnferris

-Bishop = NC AG
-Gaetz = FL gov
-Norman = primary Sen. Graham
-Rosendale = Mont. Senate
politico.com/live-updates/2… Bishop is the only one who has formally declared and he's leading the McCarthy ouster push, telling @jordainc today that he has a member in mind as an McCarthy alternative.

And 3/4 — Bishop, Norman and Rosendale — caused a humiliating setback for GOP leadership Tues w/ DOD bill

NEW: During GOP conference today, House Rs did about a 15-min fundraising auction for chapstick used by Speaker McCarthy.

The winner: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), whose winning bid was $100,000, her Spox confirms to me. Others bid on it as well, but MTG ultimately won: And as bidding went on, McCarthy would sweeten the deal, throwing in agreeing to attend a dinner with donors/supporters for whoever wins, Spox confirmed.

The chapstick specifically was a Rep. Aaron Bean campaign chapstick.

CRENSHAW (R-Texas) on if it was a mistake to give 1/6 tapes to Tucker:

“I don't really have a problem with making it all public. But if your message is then to try and convince people that nothing bad happened, then it's just gonna make us look silly.” He also said: “I don't think transparency is ever a mistake. I think Tucker's message doesn't make any sense.“

NEW: New NY Rs going all out to distance themselves from Rep. Santos, fearing his scandal will blowback on them—ie. squeamish donors & suspicious voters.

“He is a bludgeoning tool the Democrats are using without regard for truth,” — Rep. Molinaro (R-NY)
politico.com/news/2023/03/0… “Every time that we’re having a conversation we seem to be talking about George Santos,” echoed Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.).

But Santos dismissed his problems will impact his colleagues: “I don’t believe it. I think that’s just platitudes. And they’re making stuff up…

Growing GOP chatter/concern among some GOP members who may have to miss the speakership vote if it keeps dragging out due to various circumstances.

Have heard the names of three so far.

Thread x2 1. Hern's mom died this week (Told the funeral is on Saturday and if votes go through weekend, he will miss them)

2. Wesley Hunt's wife just gave birth (Haven't heard if he will/will not actually miss votes, but his name is being raised)

BOEBERT at mics nominating Kevin Hern for speaker

Sats they've been accused of not having a plan, and says we have "many, many plans" The pro-McCarthy members applaud when Boebert says she is going to keep her speech short

She goes: Ill take it

BOEBERT VOTES for KEVIN HERN The Oklahoma Republican was recently elected RSC chair

MAST of Florida nominates him on the 8th ballot Mast says he told McCarthy: "Please don't look at us and see me as your friend...Don't look at us and see us as your colleagues. Don't look at us and see us as individuals that are votes for Speaker of the House, look at us as individuals that are looking out for our communities"

Perry again misses casting his vote after the clerk does roll call for the people who missed it during the first go around. Clyde just held up his hand shouting "one" to the clerk -- so is Rosendale and Ogles

6th BALLOT -- GOP No Votes:
1. Biggs -- Donalds 2. Bishop -- Donalds

5th Ballot: GOP No's
1. Biggs -- Donalds
2. Bishop -- Donalds
3. Boebert -- Donalds 4. Breechen -- Donalds
5. Cloud -- Donalds (he may have to repeat his answer at the end)
6. Clyde -- Donalds
7. Crane -- Donalds

Reps. Mike Gallagher, Jason Smith, Michael Guest, Brian Fitzpatrick -- all McCarthy allies -- are talking to Gaetz right now, who who looks very animated. Dusty Johnson, Clay Huggins, Guy Reschenthaler, rent Kelly, Andy Ogles have all a joined. I think I am seeing Perry from the back of his head but idk

SPARTZ votes PRESENT She was previously voting for McCarthy. This is the biggest change on the 4th ballot (minus who the KM critics are supporting)

No Vote Tally: 4th Ballot

1. Biggs votes for Donalds 2. Bishop votes for Donalds

Rep. Chip Roy on Ingraham tonight said McCarthy "just burned himself," while also citing the comments made Rep. Mike Rogers, a KM ally, who argued during a conference meeting this AM that they should be kicked off committees.

"He just solidified 15 or 20 people against him." Roy continues: "Some of us have been working in 60 days in good faith to get actual changes to fix this place."

Claims they gave a "good faith offer" to McCarthy to get 218 votes, but "he turned it away."

More pulled together list of GOP No-votes on 2nd ballot
1. Biggs -- Jordan (Prev. Biggs)
2. Bishop -- Jordan (Prev. Biggs)
3. Boebert -- Jordan
4. Brecheen -- Jordan (prev. Banks)
5. Cloud -- Jordan x2
6. Clyde -- Jordan (Prev. Biggs)
7. Crane -- Jordan (Prev. Biggs) 8. Gaetz -- Jordan (Prev. Biggs)
9. Good-- Jordan (Prev. Biggs)
10. Gosar -- Jordan (Prev. Biggs)
11. Harris -- Jordan (Prev. Zeldin)
12. Paulina Luna -- Jordan x2

SECOND BALLOT key No-KM vote tally here:
1. Biggs -- Jordan (Prev. Biggs)
2. Bishop -- Jordan (Prev. Biggs)
3. Boebert -- Jordan
4. Brecheen -- Jordan (prev. Banks) 5. Cloud -- Jordan
6. Clyde -- Jordan (Prev. Biggs)

Enough votes against McCarthy to bring this to a third ballot.

MCCARTHY NO VOTES w. numbers
1. Biggs -- Biggs
2. Bishop -- Biggs
3. Boebert -- Jordan
4. Breechen -- Banks
5. Cloud -- Jordan
6. Clyde -- Biggs
7. Crane -- Biggs
8. Gaetz -- Biggs
9. Good-- Biggs
10. Gosar -- Biggs
11. Harris -- Zeldin 12. Anna Paulina Luna -- Jordan

MCCARTHY NO VOTES:
Biggs -- Biggs
Bishop -- Biggs
Boebert -- Jordan
Breechen -- Banks
Cloud -- Jordan
Clyde -- Biggs
Crane -- Biggs Already at 7 votes, enough to keep KM from threshold needed to get gavel this ballot